Manager- Strategic Forecasting

Job Description

Manager- Strategic Forecasting

At our company, we are leveraging analytics and technology, as we invent for life on behalf of patients around the world. We are seeking those who have a passion for using data, analytics, and insights to drive decision making, that will allow us to tackle some of the world’s greatest health threats. Within our commercial Insights, Analytics, and Data organization we are transforming to better power decision-making across our end-to-end commercialization process, from business development to late lifecycle management.

Integrated Research and Forecasting (IRF) is a global function encompassing long-range pharmaceutical asset forecasting across the product lifecycles of all assets within Human Health (Oncology, Vaccines, Hospital Specialty / Primary care). Assets include early and late-stage molecules in clinical development, companies under considerations by business development for partnering and/ or acquisition as well as currently launched products. Forecasting deliverables support division planning and decision making across multiple functional areas such as finance, manufacturing, product development and commercial. In addition to ensuring high-quality deliverables, our team drives synergies across divisions, fosters innovation and best practices, and creates solutions to bring speed, scale and shareability to our planning processes. As we endeavor, we are seeking a dynamic talent for the role of “Manager – Strategic Forecasting.”

We are looking for a team member within the Forecasting team located in Pune for the Capabilities and Innovation team. You will be a detail-oriented forecaster with extensive experience in synthesizing insights from diverse pharma data sets, developing forecast models, and generating strategic and statistical forecast solutions. You will handle and manipulate large data sets to develop optimal solutions, particularly within the pharmaceutical industry. Combining technical proficiency with analytical and forecasting expertise, you will design and develop insightful solutions, including visualizations for reports, novel modeling approaches, and forecasting collaterals that drive informed business decision-making. You will collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders across the organization, proactively identifying and resolving conflicts, and driving continuous enhancements in forecasting capabilities.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Integrate insights from diverse pharma data sets (in-house, third-party licensed, and publicly available) to address forecasting-related questions from stakeholders.
• Provide consultative support for forecasting processes and solutions across one or multiple therapy areas, demonstrating pharmaceutical knowledge and project management capability.
• Conceptualize and create forecast models and analytical solutions using strategic and statistical techniques within the area of responsibility.
• Collaborate with stakeholders (IRF, our Manufacturing Division , Human Health, Finance, Research, Country, and senior leadership) to identify challenges in the forecasting process and drive continuous enhancements.
• Drive innovation and automation to enhance robustness and efficiency in forecasting processes, incorporating best-in-class statistical and strategic methods.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders, proactively identifying and resolving conflicts by engaging relevant parties.
• Contribute to evolving our offerings through innovation, standardization, and automation of various models and processes for forecasters and other stakeholders.

Qualification and skills:

• Engineering / Management / Pharma post-graduates with 5+ years of experience in the relevant roles; with 2-3 years of experience in pharmaceutical strategic forecasting, analytics or forecast insights generation.
• Ability to manage ambiguous environments, and to adapt to changing needs of business.
• Strong analytical skills; an aptitude for problem solving and strategic thinking.
• Solid understanding of pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, supply chain and marketing functions
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear and actionable insights.
• Experienced in working with large datasets to derive actionable insights, trends, and predictive analytics.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across large and diverse functions and stakeholders.
• Capability to develop models that adhere to industry standards and regulatory requirements, ensuring that data is handled with accuracy and compliance.
• Extensive experience in developing sophisticated models using Excel VBA & Python, optimizing processes for data analysis and reporting.
• Exposure/sound understanding of advanced modeling techniques like Agent based and dynamic transmission model.
• Ability to apply design thinking for tools/ platforms and collaborate with forecast teams and stakeholders for final solution.

• Preferred:
  • Exposure/sound understanding of ETL process and experienced in data analysis using SQL.
  • Experience in developing dynamic visualizations using Power BI, Spotfire, or other tools, creating dashboards and reports that enhance data understanding and usability.

Our Human Health Division maintains a “patient first, profits later” ideology. The organization is comprised of sales, marketing, market access, digital analytics and commercial professionals who are passionate about their role in bringing our medicines to our customers worldwide.  

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Business Intelligence (BI), Database Design, Data Engineering, Data Modeling, Data Science, Data Visualization, Machine Learning, Software Development, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Waterfall Model

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

04/30/2025

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